Posts Tagged ‘KitKat’

Sony Xperia SP is among few selected smartphones eligible for Android 4.4.2 KitKat. A new firmware spotted running Android 4.3 Jelly Bean to fix bugs while factors can impede Android KitKat update for the device.

Under Investigation

After being considered before for Android KitKat update, Sony Xperia SP got tagged as “under investigation.” If you visit the Sony Support Web site for the smartphone, Android 4.1 is the factory OS, Android 4.3 as the current version and Android 4.4 KitKat future update subjected to investigation.

Xperia SP joined Xperia T, TX and V on the same status being investigated by Sony Mobile if eligible to get another major software update after Android 4.3. But Xperia SP is a lot fresher compared to T, TX and V for it was released in April last year and the update support will end by October 2014.

Delayed Firmware Update

Sony Mobile skipped Android 4.2.2 in favour of Android 4.3 for various Xperia smartphones including SP. However, the update rollout happened very late compared to the expected release which should have happened on December 2013. Android 4.3 firmware for Xperia SP underwent several changes, probably because of various bugs found.

PTCRB approved four different Android 4.3 firmware builds in several months from December 23rd to January 29th 2014. Sony pushed the firmware update during the mid-month of February 2014.

Firmware Build Version

Certification Date

12.1.A.0.253

December 23, 2013

12.1.A.0.256

January 7, 2014

12.1.A.0.263

January 16, 2014

12.1.A.0.266

January 29, 2014

Another Android 4.3

Apparently, some major bugs were found on the latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean for Xperia SP. 12.1.A.0.266 is the current available software for the device and owners have found certain problems such as constant lighting up of the notification illumination bar during voice calls and occasional crashes from apps that can only be fixed by reinstalling them from the Play Store.

French network carrier SFR approved the new firmware 12.1.A.1.192 Android 4.3 Jelly Bean and said that it would be released a few days ago. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been rolled out to fix several glitches on the initial Android 4.3 update.

Other changes from the new build include overall smoother graphical experience, performance and stability improvements and update on Sony Media apps.

Sony is expected to improve the processor and RAM on the Xperia Z2 Avatar. Leaks indicate that the Z2 will sport Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core 2.2 GHz processor, 2 or 3 GB of RAM, 5 inches of screen with IGZO display and 506-ppi pixel density.

If Sony waits for Qualcomm to finish developing high-class 64-bit processor, we may see another variant of the Xperia Z2 in the middle of 2014.

Operating System

Android 4.4 KitKat is likely the operating system running the Xperia Z2 with brand new features based on the Xperia Z1.

Powerful Camera

Sony isn’t going to let the Xperia line go down in terms of camera power. Rumours reveal that the Z2 will have the same Xperia Z1 20.7 MP Sony G lens with Carl Optics camera modules but with updated Z1-based camera apps such as Motion Shot, TimeShift Burst and AR Effect.

As with flagship standards, we may expect Optical Image Stabilisation, Optical Zooming and Xenon flash on the Xperia Z2.

The Android 4.4 KitKat update started rolling out for the Nexus 4, Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 just a few days after the roll out of the Android 4.4.1 KitKat update for similar devices. The update stated a few hours after the rumours saying that the HTC One and HTC One Google Play Edition will get the update.

Gottabemobilereported an earlier rumour suggesting the Android 4.4.2 KitKat happening on the HTC One and HTC One Google Play Edition and that it will arrive in the place of the 4.4.1 KitKat.

Differences between the two updates remain unclear at this point but Sprint revealed minor changes for Nexus 5 that could also be seen in other devices.

Undoubtedly, the Android 4.4.2 KitKat will be rolling out for the Google Nexus 5 and users have also confirmed that the Nexus 7 and the Nexus 4 are also getting the update as well. Although, according to Gottabemobile, the Nexus 4’s prompt does not reveal anything.

Essentially, the software updates of the Google Nexus devices take a couple of days to a week to complete the roll out. As such, Nexus owners must expect receive the Android 4.4.2 KitKat and everything it has to offer a few more days.

So far, we have seen the update on the Google Nexus 7, Nexus 5, and the Nexus 4 and it is safe to mention that the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update for the Google Nexus 10 will not be quite far behind.

If you wish to have the update urgently and you do not want to wait for the arrival of the OTA, you can install and download the update manually through Google servers. Although at this point, only the Android 4.4.2 KitKat update for the Nexus 5 is visible, we expect others to surface in few.